Daily living skills program for autistic teens preparing for adulthood
A Multisite RCT of a Daily Living Skills Intervention for Autistic Adolescents Prior to the Transition to Adulthood
['FUNDING_R01'] · CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR · NIH-11311884
This project offers a skills-training program to help autistic teenagers without intellectual disability learn everyday tasks like hygiene, cooking, and managing money before they become adults.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11311884 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You would join a multisite randomized trial of the Surviving and Thriving in the Real World (STRW) program that teaches daily tasks such as hygiene, cooking, laundry, and managing money. Participants are randomly assigned to receive STRW or an active comparison, with sessions offered in person or via telehealth depending on site and preference. The team builds on two pilot randomized trials where STRW produced 2–4 years' worth of daily living skill gains over a 14-week course and will follow participants to track skill gains and real-world outcomes like employment and independent living. The study is led by Cincinnati Children's and runs across multiple sites to recruit teens approaching the transition to adulthood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are autistic adolescents without an intellectual disability, typically in mid-to-late high school (roughly ages 12–20) who are preparing to transition to adulthood.
Not a fit: This program is not aimed at autistic individuals with significant intellectual disability or adults well past the transition period, so those groups are unlikely to benefit from this specific intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the program could help autistic adolescents gain age-appropriate daily living skills that increase the likelihood of independent living, employment, and postsecondary education.
How similar studies have performed: Previous pilot RCTs of STRW showed statistically significant and clinically meaningful gains (about 2–4 years of daily living skills) over a 14-week intervention, and telehealth delivery performed comparably to in-person.
Where this research is happening
CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES
- CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR — CINCINNATI, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: DUNCAN, AMIE MARIE — CINCINNATI CHILDRENS HOSP MED CTR
- Study coordinator: DUNCAN, AMIE MARIE
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.